The premise behind Montelena’s flagship wine is decidedly simple: it’s unapologetically Montelena. With over 40 years of experience in this dynamic and distinctive vineyard, the winery’s team has recognized the value of blazing their own trail outside of conventions and norms. It takes confidence in the land as well as the people, farming, and winemaking to live up to the high standards that they have set for themselves.

Floral aromas with Bing cherry and raspberry buttressed by rich notes of cocoa, hazelnut, and Earl Grey. Black pepper and cedar complement this freshness exquisitely. Dense but light on its feet, the contrast of velvety tannins and bright acid bookend a youthful and vibrant palate. 99% cabernet sauvignon, .5% petit verdot, .5% cabernet franc. Aged 22 months in 100% French oak, 40% new.

“The Montelena Estate is a gorgeous wine in 2021, built of 94.1% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4.9% Cabernet Franc, and 1.0% Petit Verdot, aged 22 months in 45% new French oak. It is super bright and wonderfully aromatic with gorgeous light brown spices, white pepper, and sagebrush. Medium-bodied with cranberry and huckleberry fruits, they have very ripe and powerful tannins with supreme granularity and a fine, pinpoint, pixelated texture. Fantastic, linear, and racy acidity brings this wine into focus. Tasted with winemaker Matt Crafton at Chateau Montelena, Crafton explained that ‘the aromatic potential of the vintage leapt out.’ For him, the challenge was to reflect the concentration and richness and keep the fresh aromatics. So he moved to very light toast barrels in this vintage.”
98 points, Jonathan Cristaldi, Decanter, June 2024